Groundbreaking ceremony to mark upcoming renovations at Austin High School

On Friday, Austin High School is marking the start of some major construction projects on campus to improve the school.

El Paso Independent School District is holding a groundbreaking ceremony on campus at 11 a.m.

The district is investing $29.6 million into campus upgrades and a brand new performance arts center with a 300-seat theater.

The funding is a result of the EPISD 2016 voter-approved bond election that is helping renovate many campuses through out the district.

Other projects include new band and orchestra classrooms, a multi-purpose room, upgrades to school’s mechanical system, roof improvements, LED lighting at the campus, replacement of windows and aesthetic renovations to classrooms and the courtyard.

Senior Joshlyan Arnold, an Austin senior, said she’ll miss out on the final result of the construction project, but believes the changes will relieve some problems.

“They’re going to have their own fine arts building so classes won’t be so jumbled up,” Arnold said.

Construction is scheduled to be complete Spring 2021.